Corruption in the Philippines is a deep-rooted problem that permeates within the very fabric of the Filipino society. It harms governance, economic growth, and public trust.
The government and politicians often get associated with corrupt practices. But it thrives in a wider aspect of daily life, where bribery, patronage, and dishonesty have unfortunately become normalized.
As a result, the Philippines is ranked 114th of 180 nations on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. This puts the future of the Filipino people in peril as corruption takes root in the society.
How corruption developed through Philippine history
Corruption in the Philippines is not a recent phenomenon. The current issue traces its roots to the Spanish colonial period, when the encomienda system allowed officials to exploit local resources for personal gain in exchange for supposed protection.
Even as the regime transitioned from Spanish to American rule, this culture of abuse persisted, despite democratic structures were introduced. Corruption remained entrenched due to political patronage and elite dominance.
The American colonial government established institutions such as the Philippine Assembly in 1907 and later the Commonwealth in 1935, promoting self-governance. However, power remained concentrated among wealthy and influential families who used their political connections to secure government positions.
This help them take control of economic resources, and protect their interests. The practice of vote-buying, nepotism, and bureaucratic corruption took root, ensuring that leadership remained in the hands of a select few.
Under the regime of Ferdinand Marcos, corruption escalated to unprecedented levels through crony capitalism. Marcos and his close associates, known as “cronies,” controlled key industries such as banking, agriculture, construction, and telecommunications, securing government contracts and monopolies.
Successive administrations, from Corazon Aquino to the present, have been plagued by corruption scandals, including the pork barrel scam, election fraud, and anomalous government contracts. Despite efforts such as the creation of the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan (anti-graft court), weak enforcement and political interference have allowed corrupt practices to persist.
How the Philippine government played role in corruption
In politics and system of governance, the Philippine government has played a major role in fostering corruption through systemic abuse of power.
The Pork Barrel System, particularly the PDAF, allowed lawmakers to misappropriate funds, as seen in the 2013 Napoles scandal. Election fraud remains rampant, with vote-buying and ballot manipulation, exemplified by the 2004 “Hello Garci” scandal involving former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Nepotism and patronage politics also thrive, with influential families use public resources to maintain power while silencing opposition. These corrupt practices have deeply entrenched dishonesty in governance, prioritizing personal gain over national welfare.
Corruption in Philippine government institutions extends beyond politicians to law enforcement, the judiciary, and public infrastructure.
Police corruption is widespread, with “kotong cops” extorting money and the “ninja cops” scandal revealing officers reselling seized drugs. In the judiciary, bribery influences verdicts, as seen in the Vizconde Massacre case, where suspicions of under-the-table deals cast doubt on the acquittals.
Infrastructure projects are also plagued by corruption, with ghost projects and anomalies wasting billions, such as the 2003 NorthRail project’s cancellation due to irregularities. These systemic issues undermine justice, public trust, and national development.
Example of high-profile corruption cases
The Marcos Ill-Gotten Wealth case saw the recovery of over ₱174 billion by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), though much remains unaccounted for, linked to the Marcos family’s corrupt practices.
The 2013 PDAF Scam involved businesswoman Janet Napoles and lawmakers diverting billions to fake NGOs, revealing widespread corruption in government funds.
In the 2020 PhilHealth Fund Mismanagement scandal, senior officials allegedly siphoned off billions from health insurance funds, exacerbating the struggles of hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic while leaving Filipinos without adequate healthcare support.
Corruption in Philippine society
Corruption in the Philippines is not only a problem within government but is also perpetuated by everyday practices among Filipinos.
Many pay bribes, or “lagay,” to expedite processing for permits, licenses, or clearances. Small businesses often offer “grease money” to inspectors to avoid fines or expedite approvals.
Tax evasion and smuggling are also prevalent, with wealthy individuals and businesses underreporting income, depriving the government of essential revenue.
In 2017, Mighty Corporation was involved in evading ₱37 billion in taxes through fake tax stamps. These actions reflect a culture of corruption embedded in daily life.
How Filipino culture promote and enable corruption
Filipino culture often enables corruption through concepts like “Utang na Loob” (debt of gratitude) and favoritism, where people feel obligated to return favors, even at the expense of personal conscience.
Politicians exploit this to secure loyalty instead of delivering real reforms. The normalization of corruption, with the belief that “lahat ng politiko corrupt,” leads to public resignation rather than will to resist it.
Filipinos often tolerate corrupt leaders who maintain strong support despite allegations, due to their charisma, patronage, and the cultural expectation of loyalty over accountability. This cycle perpetuates corruption in society.
Role of media and public perception of corruption
The media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception of corruption. Sensationalism in some outlets focuses on scandals rather than in-depth investigative reporting, which limits true accountability.
Social media amplifies misinformation, often rehabilitating the reputations of corrupt politicians.
This creates confusion and distorts public understanding. Despite initial outrage from the public, corruption scandals often fade from memory, as media coverage wanes, leading to public apathy. The process allows corrupt leaders to regain power, with the cycle of corruption persisting due to a lack of sustained public pressure for accountability.
Impact of corruption in the Philippines
Corruption in the Philippines has significant economic consequences, hindering national growth. Bureaucratic red tape and widespread corruption discourage foreign investors, resulting in stagnant investment that limits job creation and economic development.
The wealth gap continues to widen, as elites profit while millions of Filipinos live in poverty, struggling with low wages and poor living conditions.
Public infrastructure and services, such as roads, hospitals, and schools, are also affected, with funds intended for development being siphoned off by corrupt officials, leading to inadequate services and slow progress in improving the nation’s standards of living.
Socially and politically, corruption erodes public trust in government institutions. Citizens become disillusioned, leading to low civic engagement and widespread apathy.
The rise of populist leaders who promise anti-corruption reforms often fails to deliver tangible results, exacerbating feelings of frustration.
Corruption also contributes to rising crime rates and human rights violations, as corrupt law enforcement officers enable crime syndicates to operate with impunity, while also disproportionately targeting vulnerable populations in crackdown efforts.
These compounded social and political issues create a cycle of inequality and disenfranchisement, deepening societal divides.
Corruption in the Philippines is rooted in both government practices and societal norms, with leadership and everyday participation fueling the issue. Systemic failures and cultural acceptance of corruption enable its persistence, undermining efforts for meaningful change.
Without collective accountability, where both officials and citizens take responsibility, true reform remains elusive, and the cycle of corruption continues. Addressing corruption requires a comprehensive approach, tackling both institutional flaws and reforming societal attitudes.